WHYACTS16:14DOESNOTSUPPORTCALVINISM

Thisministrycanbesupportedfinanciallyatwww.beyondthefundamentals.com

Acts19:2(KJV)2 Hesaiduntothem,HaveyereceivedtheHolyGhostsinceyebelieved?Andtheysaiduntohim,

WehavenotsomuchasheardwhethertherebeanyHolyGhost.

Acts16:14(KJV)14 AndacertainwomannamedLydia,asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichworshippedGod,heardus:whosehearttheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespoken

ofPaul.

Acts18:26(KJV)26 Andhebegantospeakboldlyinthesynagogue:whomwhenAquilaandPriscillahadheard,they

tookhimuntothem,andexpoundeduntohimthewayofGodmoreperfectly.

Acts16:14(KJV)14 AndacertainwomannamedLydia,asellerofpurple,ofthe

cityofThyatira,whichworshippedGod,heardus:

whosehearttheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethings

whichwerespokenofPaul.

Acts16:14(NSV)14 AndacertainwomannamedLydia,asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichcouldnothavepossiblyworshippedGod,sinceshewasunregenerateandtotallydepraved,didnothave

earstoheard us:whosehearttheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntotheGospel whichwas

spokenofPaul.

CalvinistAssumptionsbasedonthephrase“whosehearttheLordopened.”

- theLordhastohaveopenedLydia’sheartorshewouldnothavetendedtothethingsspokenbyPaul- EveryoneelsewhoissavedhastheirheartopenedbytheLordinthesamemanner- noonewhoisunsavedeverhastheirheartopenedbytheLord- thelordexclusivelyusessupernaturalheart-openingmeasures,anddoesnotusecommon,ordinarycircumstantialmeanstoopensomeone’sheart.- ThisheartopeningoftheLordisrequiredforanyonetoberegenerated.- Thisheart-openingisadoctrinalrequirementforsalvation(John16:7-11)- believingonChristrequiressomethinginadditiontohearing(Rom.10:14-17)whichonlytheelectreceive.- Lydiawaslost/unsaved- ThethingsspokenbyPaulweretheGospel.

CalvinistswilloftengoovertoLuke24:45:Luke24:45(KJV)45 Thenopenedhetheirunderstanding,thattheymightunderstandthescriptures,

Andtrytoconflatethesetwothingstomakethemthesame,basicallybecausetheybothhavetheword“opened”andthatmakesthingsconvenientforpeoplewhoareproof-texting.WenotgoingtogetintothenutsandboltsofLuke24:45here,butthescenariosandintentarecompletelydifferent.Inonenarrative,youhavetheapostleswhodonotyethavetheSpirit,sinceActs2hasn’toccurred,andwhobackinLuke18:34didn’tunderstandthedeath,burialandresurrectionofChristbecauseitwashiddenfromthem.Youknow,becausetheywerenotelect,andonlynon-electpeoplehavethingshiddenfromthem.Backtothepoint.Luke24:45isabouttheirunderstanding.It’smoreacademic.Acts16:14ismoreaboutthereceptivenessoftheheart,nottheunderstandingofthemind.

Luke18:31-34(KJV)31 Thenhetookuntohim thetwelve,andsaiduntothem,Behold,wegouptoJerusalem,andallthingsthatarewrittenbytheprophetsconcerningtheSonofmanshallbeaccomplished.32 ForheshallbedelivereduntotheGentiles,andshallbemocked,andspitefullyentreated,andspittedon:33 Andtheyshallscourgehim,andputhimtodeath:andthethirddayheshallriseagain.34 Andtheyunderstoodnoneofthesethings:andthissayingwashidfromthem,neitherknewtheythethingswhichwerespoken.

WhendoesregenerationtakeplacewithLydia?•Whenherheartisopened?• OrwhensheheardthethingsspokenbyPaul?• Orwhenshebelievesthem?

PaulencounteredAnanias3daysafterhisconversionandwasn’tbaptizeduntilthem.Lydiacouldhavebeenconvertedpriortothistime(Acts16:14),andledtoencounterPaulforgrounding,aswe’llexploreinabit.

PaulhadavisionearlierinthechapterofamanfromMacedoniasaying,“coveroverintoMacedonia,andhelpus”(v.9).Theyinterpretedthisasbeingcalledtopreachthegospelinthatarea(v.10).Weknowthatsometimestheterm“gospel”isareferencenotonlytotheinitialmessageofthedeath,burial,andresurrectionofChrist,butisalsoinclusiveofwhatPaulcalls“mygospel”(Rom.2:16;16:25),whichincludesallthedoctrineforChristianliving,andrevelationofthemysteriesoftheonebody,andmanyotherthings.

Acts16:9-10(KJV)9 Andavisionappearedto

Paulinthenight;TherestoodamanofMacedonia,andprayedhim,saying,ComeoverintoMacedonia,andhelpus.

10 Andafterhehadseenthevision,immediatelyweendeavoured togointoMacedonia,assuredly

gatheringthattheLordhadcalledusfortopreachthe

gospeluntothem.

So,thereareafewoptionsregardingthismanofMacedonia.Eitherheexistscompletelyinavisionandisnotarealperson,orheisabelieverwhoneedssounddoctrine,orheisalostpersonwhoneedstobesaved.Now,ifheisalostpersonwhoneedstoheartheGospelsothathecanbesaved,itdoesnotjivewellwiththeCalvinistdoctrineofTotalDepravityinwhichcasehewouldnotwanttobesaved,andwouldneverseekGodinanywayuntilafterregenerated.Ofcourse,thatnevermadeadifferencetotheminthenarrativeofCorneliuseither.So,thisvisionofPaul’smightmakeforsomeinterestingconversationwithaCalvinist.

Acts16:9-10(KJV)9 Andavisionappearedto

Paulinthenight;TherestoodamanofMacedonia,andprayedhim,saying,ComeoverintoMacedonia,andhelpus.

10 Andafterhehadseenthevision,immediatelyweendeavoured togointoMacedonia,assuredly

gatheringthattheLordhadcalledusfortopreachthe

gospeluntothem.

1Corinthians16:19(KJV)19 ThechurchesofAsiasaluteyou.

AquilaandPriscillasaluteyoumuchintheLord,withthechurch

thatisintheirhouse.

Revelation2:18(KJV)18 AnduntotheangelofthechurchinThyatira write;Thesethingssaith theSonofGod,whohathhiseyeslikeuntoaflameoffire,andhisfeetare likefinebrass;

Thenextthingsaidaboutheris,“WhichworshippedGod”(Acts16:14).Thisisstatedunequivocally,asifitneedsnoqualifierorexplanation.WhereisLydia,whatdayisit,andwhyisshethere?Accordingtoverse13,she’sdownattheriversideataprayermeetingontheSabbathday.Nowifwestoprightthere,doesLydiasoundlikeasavedoralostperson.Behonestnow.Ifyoudidn’talreadyhaveyourmindmadeupaboutthenarrativebecauseofyourstubborngnosticpresuppositions,whatkindofdescriptiondowehavesofar?DoesthissoundlikeatotallydepravedpersonwhohatesGodandlovesdepravity?No.Notatall.So,theCalvinistshaveaproblemeitherwayhere.Eithershe’salreadysaved,inwhichcasethiscannotbeaCalvinistprooftextregardinggnosticrequirementsforregeneration.Eitherthat,orshe’snotsaved,inwhichcaseyouhaveasupposedlytotallydepravedpersonworshippingGod,andgoingtoaprayermeetingontheSabbathday?Pickyourrefutation.I’llletyouhaveeitherone.

Acts16:13-15(KJV)13 Andonthesabbath wewentoutofthecitybyariverside,whereprayerwaswonttobemade;andwesatdown,andspake untothewomen

whichresortedthither.14 AndacertainwomannamedLydia,

asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichworshippedGod,heardus:whosehearttheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhich

werespokenofPaul.15 Andwhenshewasbaptized,andherhousehold,shebesoughtus,saying,IfyehavejudgedmetobefaithfultotheLord,comeintomyhouse,andabide

there.Andsheconstrainedus.

InActs2,thepreachersspeakintonguesbuttheconvertsdonot.InActs4,fivethousandmenareconvertedandthere’snomentionoftonguesorbaptism.Sofar,onlyJewsaregettingsaved.InActs8,someSamaritansbelieveandarebaptizedbuttheydon’tgettheSpirituntilPeterandJohncomelayhandsonthem.Notonguesarementioned.Youwanttomakethatonethestandard?InActs9,abrightlightshineswithavoicefromheaven,andtheconvertisknockedoffofhishorseandblinded.WhythatsoundsexactlylikewhathappenedtoCornelius,doesn’tit.InActs10,thepreacherdoesn’tspeakintongues,buttheconvertsdo,andtheyarebaptizedafterward,andnooneneedshandslaidonthem.AlsoinActs10,thetotallydepravedpersonwhohasyettoberegeneratedfearsGod,givesmuchalmstothepeople,andpraysallthetime.LookslikesomeoneforgottogettheCalvinistdistortionofRomans3tohimintimebeforehecouldmakeafooloftheGnosticswithhispre-regeneratebehavior.InActs16,thetotallydepravedjailerwhohatesGodandwouldnevertryorbeabletoseekGodaskshowtobesaved.Inchapter17,thetotallydepravedBereansaredescribedas“noble,”andtheysearchhescripturesinverse11,eventhoughtheydon’tbelieveuntilverse12.

IswhathappenedtoLydiatheexactsame

thingthatmusthappentoanyconvert,intheexactsameway?

Couldweapplythatstandardtoanyotherelementofconversionnarrativesinthebook

ofActs?

Acts4:4(KJV)4 Howbeitmanyofthemwhichheardthewordbelieved;andthenumberofthemenwasabout

fivethousand.Acts8:5(KJV)

5 ThenPhilipwentdowntothecityofSamaria,andpreached

Christuntothem.Acts8:12(KJV)

12 ButwhentheybelievedPhilippreachingthethingsconcerningthekingdomofGod,andthe

nameofJesusChrist,theywerebaptized,bothmenandwomen.

Acts8:17(KJV)17 Thenlaidtheytheir handsonthem,andtheyreceivedthe

HolyGhost.

Acts9:3-4(KJV)3 Andashejourneyed,hecamenearDamascus:andsuddenlythereshinedroundabouthimalight

fromheaven:4 Andhefelltotheearth,andheardavoicesayinguntohim,Saul,Saul,whypersecutest thoume?

Acts10:45-47(KJV)45 Andtheyofthecircumcisionwhichbelievedwereastonished,asmanyascamewithPeter,becausethatontheGentilesalsowaspouredoutthegiftof

theHolyGhost.46 Fortheyheardthemspeakwithtongues,andmagnifyGod.

ThenansweredPeter,47 Cananymanforbidwater,thattheseshouldnotbe

baptized,whichhavereceivedtheHolyGhostaswellaswe?

Acts10:2(KJV)2 A devoutman,andonethatfearedGodwithallhishouse,whichgavemuchalmstothepeople,andprayedtoGod

alway.Acts10:4(KJV)

4 Andwhenhelookedonhim,hewasafraid,andsaid,Whatisit,Lord?Andhesaiduntohim,Thyprayersandthinealmsarecomeupforamemorialbefore

God.

Acts16:30(KJV)30 Andbrought

themout,andsaid,Sirs,whatmustIdo

tobesaved?

Acts17:11-12(KJV)11 TheseweremorenoblethanthoseinThessalonica,inthattheyreceivedthewordwithallreadinessofmind,andsearchedthescripturesdaily,whetherthosethingswereso.

12 Thereforemanyofthembelieved;alsoof

honourable womenwhichwereGreeks,andofmen,

notafew.

Acts18:24-26(KJV)24 AndacertainJewnamedApollos,bornatAlexandria,aneloquentman,andmightyinthescriptures,cametoEphesus.25 ThismanwasinstructedinthewayoftheLord;andbeingferventinthespirit,hespake andtaughtdiligentlythethingsoftheLord,knowingonlythebaptismofJohn.26 Andhebegantospeakboldlyinthesynagogue:whomwhenAquilaandPriscillahadheard,theytookhimuntothem,andexpoundeduntohimthewayofGodmoreperfectly.Acts19:1-7(KJV)1 Anditcametopass,that,whileApolloswasatCorinth,PaulhavingpassedthroughtheuppercoastscametoEphesus:andfindingcertaindisciples,2 Hesaiduntothem,HaveyereceivedtheHolyGhostsinceyebelieved?Andtheysaiduntohim,WehavenotsomuchasheardwhethertherebeanyHolyGhost.3 Andhesaiduntothem,Untowhatthenwereyebaptized?Andtheysaid,UntoJohn'sbaptism.4 ThensaidPaul,Johnverilybaptizedwiththebaptismofrepentance,sayinguntothepeople,thattheyshouldbelieveonhimwhichshouldcomeafterhim,thatis,onChristJesus.5 Whentheyheardthis,theywerebaptizedinthenameoftheLordJesus.6 AndwhenPaulhadlaidhis handsuponthem,theHolyGhostcameonthem;andtheyspakewithtongues,andprophesied.7 Andallthemenwereabouttwelve.

Acts11:14-19(KJV)14 Whoshalltelltheewords,wherebythouandallthyhouseshallbesaved.15 AndasIbegantospeak,theHolyGhostfellonthem,asonusatthebeginning.16 ThenrememberedIthewordoftheLord,howthathesaid,Johnindeedbaptizedwithwater;butyeshallbebaptizedwiththeHolyGhost.17 ForasmuchthenasGodgavethemthelikegiftashedid untous,whobelievedontheLordJesusChrist;whatwasI,thatIcouldwithstandGod?18 Whentheyheardthesethings,theyheldtheirpeace,andglorifiedGod,saying,ThenhathGodalsototheGentilesgrantedrepentanceuntolife.19 NowtheywhichwerescatteredabroaduponthepersecutionthataroseaboutStephentravelledasfarasPhenice,andCyprus,andAntioch,preachingthewordtononebutuntotheJewsonly.

Acts15:1(KJV)1 AndcertainmenwhichcamedownfromJudaeataughtthebrethren,andsaid,ExceptyebecircumcisedafterthemannerofMoses,yecannotbesaved.Acts15:7-11(KJV)7 Andwhentherehadbeenmuchdisputing,Peterroseup,andsaiduntothem,Menandbrethren,yeknowhowthatagoodwhileagoGodmadechoiceamongus,thattheGentiles[Cornelius] bymymouthshouldhearthewordofthegospel,andbelieve.8 AndGod,whichknoweth thehearts,barethemwitness,givingthemtheHolyGhost,evenashedid untous;9 Andputnodifferencebetweenusandthem,purifyingtheirheartsbyfaith.10 NowthereforewhytemptyeGod,toputayokeupontheneckofthedisciples,whichneitherourfathersnorwewereabletobear?11 ButwebelievethatthroughthegraceoftheLordJesusChristweshallbesaved,evenasthey.

Acts18:24-26(KJV)24 AndacertainJewnamedApollos,bornatAlexandria,aneloquentman,andmightyinthescriptures,cametoEphesus.25 ThismanwasinstructedinthewayoftheLord;andbeingferventinthespirit,hespake andtaughtdiligentlythethingsoftheLord,knowingonlythebaptismofJohn.26 Andhebegantospeakboldlyinthesynagogue:whomwhenAquilaandPriscillahadheard,theytookhimuntothem,andexpoundeduntohimthewayofGodmoreperfectly.Acts19:1-7(KJV)1 Anditcametopass,that,whileApolloswasatCorinth,PaulhavingpassedthroughtheuppercoastscametoEphesus:andfindingcertaindisciples,2 Hesaiduntothem,HaveyereceivedtheHolyGhostsinceyebelieved?Andtheysaiduntohim,WehavenotsomuchasheardwhethertherebeanyHolyGhost.3 Andhesaiduntothem,Untowhatthenwereyebaptized?Andtheysaid,UntoJohn'sbaptism.4 ThensaidPaul,Johnverilybaptizedwiththebaptismofrepentance,sayinguntothepeople,thattheyshouldbelieveonhimwhichshouldcomeafterhim,thatis,onChristJesus.5 Whentheyheardthis,theywerebaptizedinthenameoftheLordJesus.6 AndwhenPaulhadlaidhis handsuponthem,theHolyGhostcameonthem;andtheyspakewithtongues,andprophesied.7 Andallthemenwereabouttwelve.

Acts16:13-15(KJV)13 Andonthesabbath wewentoutofthecitybyariverside,whereprayerwaswonttobemade;andwesatdown,andspake untothewomen

whichresortedthither.14 AndacertainwomannamedLydia,

asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichworshippedGod,heardus:whosehearttheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhich

werespokenofPaul.15 Andwhenshewasbaptized,andherhousehold,shebesoughtus,saying,IfyehavejudgedmetobefaithfultotheLord,comeintomyhouse,andabide

there.Andsheconstrainedus.

Acts16:13-15(KJV)13 Andonthesabbath wewentoutofthecitybyariverside,whereprayerwaswonttobemade;andwesatdown,andspake untothewomenwhichresorted

thither.14 AndacertainwomannamedLydia,asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichworshippedGod,heardus:whosehearttheLordopened,thatsheattendedunto

thethingswhichwerespokenofPaul.15 Andwhenshewasbaptized,andherhousehold,shebesoughtus,saying,IfyehavejudgedmetobefaithfultotheLord,comeintomyhouse,andabidethere.And

sheconstrainedus.

Sorryforthechangeinaudioquality.“Technicaldifficulties.”

(myfault,really)

Acts10:6(KJV)6 Helodgeth withoneSimonatanner,whosehouseisbytheseaside:he

shalltelltheewhatthououghtest todo.

Acts10:43-45(KJV)43 Tohimgivealltheprophetswitness,thatthroughhisnamewhosoeverbelievethinhimshall

receiveremissionofsins.44 WhilePeteryetspake thesewords,theHolyGhostfellonallthemwhichheardtheword.

45 Andtheyofthecircumcisionwhichbelievedwereastonished,asmanyascamewithPeter,becausethatontheGentilesalsowaspouredoutthegiftof

theHolyGhost.

Acts11:14-15(KJV)14 Whoshalltellthee

words,wherebythouandallthyhouseshallbe

saved.15 AndasIbeganto

speak,theHolyGhostfellonthem,asonusatthe

beginning.

Acts15:7-11(KJV)7 …Peter…saiduntothem,…Godmadechoice

amongus,thattheGentiles bymymouthshouldhearthewordofthegospel,andbelieve.

8 AndGod,whichknoweth thehearts,barethemwitness,givingthemtheHolyGhost,even

ashedid untous;9 Andputnodifferencebetweenusandthem,

purifyingtheirheartsbyfaith.10…

11 Butwebelievethatthroughthegrace oftheLordJesusChristweshallbesaved,evenasthey.

Titus3:5(KJV)5 Notbyworksofrighteousnesswhichwehavedone,

butaccordingtohismercyhesavedus,bythewashingofregeneration,andrenewingoftheHoly

Ghost;1Corinthians1:21(KJV)

21 ForafterthatinthewisdomofGodtheworldbywisdomknewnotGod,itpleasedGod bythe

foolishnessofpreachingtosavethemthatbelieve.

ThislineofquestioningiswhereCalvinistsgetcreativeandinventive.Whatyou’llfindthathispointisthatinsteadofregenerationoccurringatasinglemomentintime,theystarttospreaditoutoverthecourseofseveralsuccessiveevents.They’llsay,“Well,yousee,GodwasdrawingCorneliusashedoeswithallofHiselect.”Andthingslike,“GodhastogivethemearstohearbeforetheycanhearandrespondtotheGospel.”Okay,soisthistotallydepravedpersonregeneratedwhentheygettheearstohear,orsometimelateron.Afterall,basedontheGnosticCalvinisticphilosophyofthewill,thepersonstillhatesGodandwillneverchooseGodeveniftheyhearabouthimwithoutfirstbeingregenerated,sowhatgooddoeshavingearstoheardoforanyone?SonowtheCalvinisthastheelectsinnergettingincrementallysavedandregeneratedoverasuccessivesequenceofevents,alittlebitatatime.

Matthew11:15(KJV)15 Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.Matthew13:9(KJV)9 Whohathearstohear,lethimhear.Matthew13:43(KJV)43 ThenshalltherighteousshineforthasthesuninthekingdomoftheirFather.Whohathearstohear,lethimhear.Mark4:9(KJV)9 Andhesaiduntothem,Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.Mark4:23(KJV)23 Ifanymanhaveearstohear,lethimhear.Mark7:16(KJV)16 Ifanymanhaveearstohear,lethimhear.Luke8:8(KJV)8 Andotherfellongoodground,andsprangup,andbarefruitanhundredfold.Andwhenhehadsaidthesethings,hecried,Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.Luke14:35(KJV)35 Itisneitherfitfortheland,noryetforthedunghill;butmencastitout.Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.

Matthew10:5-6(KJV)5 ThesetwelveJesussentforth,andcommandedthem,saying,GonotintothewayoftheGentiles,andintoany cityoftheSamaritansenteryenot:6 ButgorathertothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael.Matthew15:24(KJV)24 Butheansweredandsaid,IamnotsentbutuntothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael.

Matthew11:15(KJV)15 Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.Matthew13:9(KJV)9 Whohathearstohear,lethimhear.Matthew13:43(KJV)43 ThenshalltherighteousshineforthasthesuninthekingdomoftheirFather.Whohathearstohear,lethimhear.Mark4:9(KJV)9 Andhesaiduntothem,Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.Mark4:23(KJV)23 Ifanymanhaveearstohear,lethimhear.Mark7:16(KJV)16 Ifanymanhaveearstohear,lethimhear.Luke8:8(KJV)8 Andotherfellongoodground,andsprangup,andbarefruitanhundredfold.Andwhenhehadsaidthesethings,hecried,Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.Luke14:35(KJV)35 Itisneitherfitfortheland,noryetforthedunghill;butmencastitout.Hethathathearstohear,lethimhear.

Matthew10:5-6(KJV)5 ThesetwelveJesussentforth,andcommandedthem,saying,GonotintothewayoftheGentiles,andintoany cityoftheSamaritansenteryenot:6 ButgorathertothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael.Matthew15:24(KJV)24 Butheansweredandsaid,IamnotsentbutuntothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael.

Acts11:18-19(KJV)18 Whentheyheardthesethings,theyheldtheirpeace,andglorifiedGod,saying,Then

hathGodalsototheGentiles grantedrepentanceuntolife.

19 NowtheywhichwerescatteredabroaduponthepersecutionthataroseaboutStephentravelledasfarasPhenice,and

Cyprus,andAntioch,preachingthewordtononebutuntotheJewsonly.

Romans10:13-17(KJV)13 ForwhosoevershallcalluponthenameoftheLordshallbesaved.14 Howthenshalltheycallonhiminwhomtheyhavenotbelieved?andhowshalltheybelieveinhimofwhomtheyhavenotheard?andhowshalltheyhearwithoutapreacher?15 Andhowshalltheypreach,excepttheybesent?asitiswritten,Howbeautifularethefeetofthemthatpreachthegospelofpeace,andbringgladtidingsofgoodthings!16 Buttheyhavenotallobeyedthegospel.ForEsaiassaith,Lord,whohathbelievedourreport?17 Sothenfaithcometh byhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.[notbynewmagicalgnosticears]

Acts16:14(KJV)14 AndacertainwomannamedLydia,asellerofpurple,ofthecityofThyatira,whichworshippedGod,heardus:whosehearttheLordopened,thatsheattendeduntothethingswhichwerespokenofPaul.

1Timothy2:1-4(KJV)1 Iexhorttherefore,that,firstofall,supplications,prayers,intercessions,and givingofthanks,bemadeforallmen;2 Forkings,andfor allthatareinauthority;thatwemayleadaquietandpeaceablelifeinallgodlinessandhonesty.3 Forthisis goodandacceptableinthesightofGodourSaviour;4 Whowillhaveallmentobesaved,andtocomeuntotheknowledgeofthetruth.

SoHOWdidGodopenLydia’sheart?TheCalvinistpresumptionisthatGodjustsupernaturallyreachedinthereandflippedamagicalswitchtoopenherheart.Butthetextdoesn’tspecifythe“how’ofthismatter.Hasn’tGodopenedyourheartbefore?Hasn’thedonesoquiteafewtimes?Wouldn’tyousaythatGodhasopenedyourhearttosomekindoftruthatleast25timessinceyou’vebeensaved,andperhapsmanytimesbeforethat?Sohowdidhedothat?Wedon’tknowforsure.PerhapsshehadboomingsalesofPurpledyethatweekandshewasthankfultoGod.Perhapsthesalesbombedout.Perhapssherecentlylostachild.Perhapsshejustwatchedaclosefriendofhersgetrunoverbyacamel.Perhapssheheardareallygoodnewsarticlefromthetowncrierthat’shadherthinking.

John16:7-11(KJV)7 NeverthelessItellyouthetruth;ItisexpedientforyouthatIgoaway:forifIgonotaway,theComforterwillnotcomeuntoyou;butifIdepart,Iwillsendhimuntoyou.8 Andwhenheiscome,hewillreprovetheworldofsin,andofrighteousness,andofjudgment:9 Ofsin,becausetheybelievenotonme;10 Ofrighteousness,becauseIgotomyFather,andyeseemenomore;11 Ofjudgment,becausetheprinceofthisworldisjudged.

Acts7:51(KJV)51 Yestiffnecked anduncircumcisedinheartandears,yedoalwaysresisttheHolyGhost:asyourfathersdid,sodo ye.

John6:44(KJV)44 Nomancancometome,

excepttheFather whichhathsentmedraw him:andIwillraisehim

upatthelastday.

John7:39(KJV)39 (Butthisspake heoftheSpirit,whichtheythatbelieveonhim

shouldreceive:fortheHolyGhostwasnotyetgiven;becausethatJesuswasnotyetglorified.)

Let’stalkforasecondabouttheconditionofthehumanheartinscripture.TheCalvinistsliketotakeverselikeJeremiah17:9andGenesis6:5outofcontexttotrytomaketheargumentthatthehumanheartisincapableofrespondingpositivelytotheGospelunlessitisfirstregenerated.ButthenarrativeofscripturedoesnotsupportthisCalvinisticview.InGenesis20:6,GodtellsaDagon-worshippingpagankingthathehadintegrityinhisheart,andthatheknowshewouldhavedonetherightthinginnottakingAbraham’swifeforhisownifhehadbeentoldthetruthabouthermaritalstatus.Furthermore,CalvinistsliketotaketheconceptofspiritualdeathfrompassageslikeEphesians2:1-4andcarryitoverasifitwereidenticaltophysicaldeath.Despitethenumberoftimesthey’vedonethis,I’vestillnotseenasingleoneofthemoutevangelizingatanyofthemanycemeterieswehavehereinNewOrleans.Iguesstheydon’tpracticewhattheypreach.Nonetheless,itisnotphysicaldeath,butspiritualdeath.NoticethatwhenapersonrespondstotheGospelinRomans10:9-10,itispartsoftheirlivingbodythatareusedforthis,theheartandthemouth,andnotthedeadspirit.ThespiritisregeneratedaftertheheartandthemouthrespondtotheGospelinbelief,whichaccordingtothesamechapter,mustonlybeprecededbyapreacherpreachingittothem.

Genesis20:6(KJV)6 AndGodsaiduntohimina

dream,Yea,Iknowthatthoudidstthisintheintegrityofthyheart;forIalsowithheldtheefromsinningagainstme:therefore

sufferedItheenottotouchher.

Romans10:9-10(KJV)9 Thatifthoushaltconfesswiththymouth theLordJesus,andshaltbelieveinthineheartthatGodhathraisedhimfromthedead,thoushaltbesaved.10 Forwiththeheart man

believethuntorighteousness;andwiththemouthconfessionis

madeuntosalvation.

Acts16:15-16(KJV)15 Andwhenshewasbaptized,andherhousehold,shebesoughtus,saying,IfyehavejudgedmetobefaithfultotheLord,comeintomyhouse,andabidethere.Andsheconstrainedus.16 Anditcametopass[passageofanunknownamountoftime?],aswewenttoprayer,acertaindamselpossessedwithaspiritofdivinationmetus,whichbroughthermastersmuchgainbysoothsaying:

Acts16:40(KJV)40 Andtheywentoutoftheprison,andenteredintothehouseof Lydia:andwhentheyhadseenthebrethren,theycomfortedthem,anddeparted.

BiblicalInterpretation•Observation•Interpretation•Application

E-mail:kevin@beyondthefundamentals.comFacebook:BeyondTheFundamentalsFacebookPage

Website:www.beyondthefundamentals.com

Thisministrycanbesupportedfinanciallyatwww.beyondthefundamentals.com.